Assistant Professor - Human-Computer Interaction

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Position Title:

Assistant Professor - Human - Computer Interaction

Job Category:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Assistant Professor

Job Duties:

The information professions are undergoing rapid transformation driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and interactive technologies. Future information professionals must be prepared not only to apply AI techniques, but also to design, evaluate, and critically engage with AI systems in ways that center human values, needs, and contexts. We invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) with particular interest in human-centered AI (HCAI) and human-AI collaboration (HAIC). This hire is part of SOIS’s strategic commitment to advancing research and teaching at the intersection of AI, human-centered computing, and information practices.

The successful candidate will contribute to educating students across our programs to design, evaluate, and/or deploy AI-enabled systems in diverse information environments including libraries, archives, and other information organizations and data-driven work settings.

We seek scholars whose research advances HCI broadly defined, with particular interest in HCAI and/or HCAI in information contexts. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: human-AI interaction and collaboration (e.g., co-creative systems, decision support, augmentation); usability, transparency, fairness, explainability, and trustworthiness of AI systems; responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI design; user experience (UX) and interaction design for AI-enabled systems; socio-technical aspects of AI adoption and auditing in information environments; human-centered data practices, including data curation and stewardship; interfaces and interactions for large language models (LLMs) and generative AI; AI-supported knowledge organization, information retrieval, recommendation and discovery; accessibility and equity in AI-mediated information systems; and/or evaluation of AI systems in real-world information settings. We are especially interested in candidates who apply HCI and AI approaches to LIS and IST domains, such as library and archival discovery systems; digital libraries; reference and information services augmented by AI; metadata, classification, and knowledge organization; and educational technologies as well as information and AI literacy.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain an active, externally fundable research program in HCI, publish scholarship in leading venues in HCI, Information Science, and related fields, teach undergraduate and graduate courses in HCI, user experience, and/or AI-related topics in both online and face-to-face formats, develop new courses in human-centered AI, interaction design, AI/LLM interface, and/or AI applications in LIS/IST, mentor Master’s and PhD students, and participate in service at the school, college, and university levels.

The anticipated start date for the position is August 23, 2027.

Key Job Responsibilities:

School/College/Division Description:

The School of Information Studies (SOIS) offers several educational programs: a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (BSIST); a Masters of Science in Information Science and Technology (MSIST) degree in partnership with the Department of Computer Science; an ALA-accredited Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS); several coordinated graduate degree programs, including Health Informatics; transcript-designated concentrations within the MLIS Archival Studies, Public Libraries, Information Organization, and Information Technology; post-masters Certificates of Advanced Study in Archives and Records Management and Digital Libraries; and a PhD in Information Studies. The School has a strong research faculty, more than 900 students, and state-of-the-art information technology. 

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Library and Information Science, Information Studies, Information Technology, Informatics, or a closely related field by the start date of appointment. 
• Evidence of online and/or onsite teaching experience in LIS/IST 
• A record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications in HCI with relevance to LIS and/or IST 

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD from an iSchool by the start date of appointment 
• Research focus on HCAI and/or HAIC in areas of interest listed above 
• Evidence of potential for externally funded research 
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness in HCI or related areas 
• Ability to advise and mentor graduate students at the Master’s and doctoral level 
• Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration (for example with Computer Science, Psychology, Linguistics, Public Policy, Education/Learning, Social Work Public Policy) 
• Experience in investigating, designing or evaluating the application of AI-powered systems in real-world contexts 

Compensation:

• The target hiring range is a minimum of $94,000 on a 9-month, academic basis.
• Final salary will be contingent upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated throughout the selection process.

Application Instructions: 

All applicants must apply online via https://uwm.edu/hr/jobs/. A strong application packet will include a cover letter outlining their interest in this position (including how minimum and preferred qualifications for this position are met) as well as a teaching experience/philosophy statement, a research profile, contact information for 3 professional references and a current CV.  

Note: Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application to ensure full consideration. Additional documents submitted aside from the requested materials will not be considered. 

In instances where the Search Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate’s application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

This is a continuous recruitment with an initial review date of December 11, 2026.  To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by December 10, 2026. Application materials received after December 10, 2026 may not receive consideration.

Questions about the position should be directed to Trevor Maloney at [email protected].

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [email protected] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.